Alastair Cook has expressed his belief that England's disastrous Cricket World Cup campaign has proved that the selectors made the wrong decision in sacking him as the one-day captain.
Cook's poor form in the 50-over format leading up to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand led for calls for him to be dropped from the side, and the selectors finally relented shortly before the tournament.
The 30-year-old batsman acknowledged that his position was in "jeopardy" due to his lack of runs, but believes that replacing him with Eoin Morgan as captain so close to the event may have had a detrimental effect on the team, who crashed out in the group stages.
"The selectors made that decision, because they thought it was the best for English cricket. Hindsight has probably proved them wrong, but now it's very easy to say that. I was there for three-and-a-half years trying to do a job," Cook told the Daily Telegraph.
"We got to number one in the world with a full-strength side and got to the final of the Champions Trophy. There were things I can be very proud of. As any captain will tell you, leading your country in a World Cup is a huge honour and one that can never be taken lightly. I was very much looking forward to that. I understand the pressure I was under. I wasn't scoring the runs I should, or could, have been scoring so I understand that my position was in jeopardy.
"But I think you saw in Australia the dangers of making such a big decision so close to the tournament. I don't know what's gone on on that tour ... but it did look like the lads were shell-shocked from the first two games. Whether I would have made a difference, I don't know. But I was fully confident we would get out of our group ... you always back yourself, and I would have loved to have had the opportunity that was taken away from me."
Cook remains the Test captain for England and was this morning named in the squad for the upcoming series with West Indies.
Barney Corkhill
